The United States Postal Service has lost $21 billion over the past five years and is facing massive cuts, but some say it's all based on fiction... not fact.
On Thursday, April 12th, 2012, postal workers across the country will rally in protest of Senate Bill 1789, which Congress is discussing right now. The bill would stop Saturday delivery within two years, lay off 150,000 workers, and close hundreds of post offices and mail processing centers.
Supporters of the bill say the USPS is losing money because more people are using the Internet to pay bills online, which is reducing the amount of mail delivered every day. However, the National Association of Letter Carriers - which represents 284,000 postal workers nationwide - argues the loss is actually due to a 2006 congressional mandate that calls for the USPS to "pre-fund" future retiree health benefits for the next 75 years in a 10-year time span. The NALC says it's a "burden no other public agency or private firm faces."
Thursday's demonstrations will call for change, not cuts. The NALC says they understand the challenges of the Internet, but as more people pay bills online, they're also ordering more goods online that needs to be delivered... and that's where the USPS can prosper.
The rallies will take place in front of Senate offices nationwide. Quad City letter carriers will come together in front of the Rock Island County building, since that is where U.S. Senator Dick Durbin's local office is located. The demonstration will take place from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. For more information, go to: http://www.saveamericaspostalservice.org/